CEANN COMHAIRLE John O’Donoghue is expected to make a statement shortly on the continuing controversy over expenses incurred during his term of office as Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism.
An Oireachtas spokesman said yesterday the statement would be issued prior to the resumption of the Dáil which returns after the summer recess at 2.30pm on Wednesday.
Solicitors acting on behalf of Mr O'Donoghue wrote to the Sunday Tribunelast Friday, claiming that some of the information published in the paper on his ministerial expenses had been "totally inaccurate, misleading, exaggerated and disingenuous" and had "fundamentally misled the Irish people".
Mr O’Donoghue was Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism from 2002 until 2007. His expenses, particularly for foreign travel and accommodation, have been the subject of media coverage for the past two months, including the cost of hotel accommodation and car-hire at events such as Cannes Film Festival.
Responding to the reports, a Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism official said: “The costs of flights and accommodation for such events invariably involve a high premium worldwide.”
